Trump gets another SCOTUS appointment?

noblehunter wrote:

PeterZ wrote:What is the sine qua non of progressivism? I would assert that progressives are much more driven by the acquisition of power than any unchanging principles. Many liberals would not qualify as progressives because they do not discard those views in pursuit of power.

Alan Dershowitz is the best example I can name. The man is a liberal Clinton supporter that holds true to his principles. He is not a Trump supporter and I doubt will ever vote for a republican, yet he holds to his views of civil liberties despite how those views mandate supporting the President against the Dems that act against those principles.

I would rejoice if Professor Dershowitz becomes the AG and can live with whatever comes from his being in that position, even the impeachment of the President. His is the sort integrity we need in government. I don't agree with much of his political views but whole heartedly agree with his views of civil liberties. I would trust his application of the powers of the AG office in ways I don't for progressive politicians.

So, rather than broadening the defintion of progressive, let's see if the essential qualities can be enumerated first.

That would be a colossal waste of time based on your stated reasons for being here.

PeterZ wrote:Obummercare came after the insurance industry lobbyists purchased a level of regulation that makes claims of a free market in healthcare laughable.

Obummercare was simply another flavor of heavy regulation. Heavy regulation that the lobbyists also paid to create.

Compared to the cost of healthcare back in the 60's and 70's, the current regulated state of US healthcare is so much more expensive by any measure.

Questions on the efficacy of Third Way socialism Not a slam dunk at all, but believe as you like.

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PeterZ wrote:I would agree. Had you showed any interest in trying, that would argue against your being a progressive in the first place. At that point I would be in a discussion with a liberal, not a proggy.

gcomeau wrote:
You just made my point again while trying to deny it. Good work.

so double checking the conclusion is a good idea. Checking agreement with you is a good quick check.
Blind reactionary rejection? Nonsense! When a proggy believes in some policy and enacts it, it will fail. That has been proven over and over. Obummer care, anyone?

It marginally slowed cost growth and increased coverage... show me the fail part.

It was wholly inadequate to actually fix the train wreck that is the US health care/insurance system since it refused to address the root cause of the problem, insane levels of reliance on the private sector in an industry that is the textbook example of what NOT to let a free market loose on, but as the band aid it was constructed as it did its job. At least in the states it was allowed to do its job in instead of being actively sabotaged by GOP state governments.

Socialism anyone?

All the Democratic Socialist countries topping the global standard of living lists, well above the United States anyone?

noblehunter wrote:

PeterZ wrote:I would agree. Had you showed any interest in trying, that would argue against your being a progressive in the first place. At that point I would be in a discussion with a liberal, not a proggy.

So one of the essential elements of progressivism is an unwillingness to performatively argue with a reactionary?

PeterZ wrote:

noblehunter wrote:So one of the essential elements of progressivism is an unwillingness to performatively argue with a reactionary?

No, it is to hold that the acquisition of power is more important than principles.

TFLYTSNBN wrote:You truly need to STFU on issues that you know nothing about.
The US health insurance system was working prior to Obamacare.

noblehunter wrote:

PeterZ wrote:No, it is to hold that the acquisition of power is more important than principles.

Trump is a proggy? Whoa.

gcomeau wrote:

TFLYTSNBN wrote:You truly need to STFU on issues that you know nothing about.
The US health insurance system was working prior to Obamacare.

If you think the system costing twice as much as other nations systems while delivering at best equivalent and often poorer outcomes was "working" then I feel sad for how low your life experiences have set your standards when it comes to healthcare.